513 ceasefire violations by Pakistan post-Balakot strike: Army

Jammu, Apr 13: As many as 513 ceasefire violations by Pakistan
have taken place along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in the past one-and-a-half
month and the Pakistan Army has suffered five to six times more casualties than
the Indian Army in the retaliatory action, a senior officer said Saturday.

The Pakistan Army also used heavy weaponry like mortars and
artillery guns in over 100 times during these violations and targeted civilian
areas but was given a befitting response by the Indian Army, General Officer
Commanding (GOC) of White Knight Corps Lt Gen Paramjit Singh told reporters in
Rajouri.

“Almost 513 ceasefire violations happened in the past
one-and-a-half month and over 100 times during these violations, the Pakistan
Army used heavy weapons like mortars and artillery guns and targeted civilian
areas. Only yesterday (Friday), four civilians, including two girls, were
injured in Poonch,” the GOC said.

However, he said the Pakistan Army is being given a befitting
response by the Indian Army.

Responding to a question about the casualties suffered by
Pakistan in the retaliatory action, he said unlike the Indian Army, Pakistan
does not announce the number of its casualties.

“However, as per our sources, the Pakistan Army suffered
five to six times more casualties than the casualties on our side,” Lt Gen
Singh said.

On the sniping incidents from across the border, Lt Gen Singh
said such incidents had come to a naught over the past several months,
especially after the Balakot strike.

“Some incidents of sniping took place earlier and
accordingly we have taken some measures to strengthen our defence.

As per the data this year, only three incidents of sniping by
the Pakistan Army were reported from January to February 26 in which one of the
fatalities include a civilian porter,” he said.

“There was no sniping incident from February 27 till date,
which means the steps taken by us have been successful,” the officer said.

He said the morale of the troops is very high and as long as
they are deployed on the borders, the people of the country need not worry.
“They have every kind of weaponry and explosives with them and their
resolve is rock solid and always prepared for any challenge. As long as they
are on the border, you are safe,” he said.

Responding to a question, the officer said, “Our message to
Pakistan is given every day whenever some nefarious activity happens on the
border”.

When asked for a comment on politics being played in the name of
soldiers during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, he said the Army does not want
to get into the debate.

During the meeting, the Advisor directed the officials to take a fresh review of SRTC routes so that more buses are employed on hilly routes where overloading is reported.

The Advisor was informed that the corporation has rationally deployed vehicles in every Operational Division as per demand or convenience of the general public.

For Chenab Valley region, it was given out that in the districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, 32 vehicles are already in place and a new fleet of 33 vehicles are being inducted in Chenab Valley with the result all the left over routes of the area would be covered.

The Advisor hoped that with the measures taken, the rate of traffic related incidents would come down in the area besides upgrading mobility of the people.

He also asked the corporation to devise a plan to give wide publicity to Electric Buses so that general public would avail the facility. The meeting was also told that the time table issued for operation of the buses is being followed in letter and spirit.

The meeting also decided to put more charging stations in major districts of JK so that all the designated routes would be made operational.

The Advisor directed the JKSRTC to hold an internal audit of accounts at the earliest and conduct a board meeting so that remaining issues are sorted out. He also asked for status of installing, monitoring and tracking devices in SRTC buses for better financial discipline in the working of organisation.

The meeting also decided to have an efficient Fuel Management System to save the government exchequer.

The meeting was told that the corporation started regular night bus service with effect from August 5 from Srinagar to Jammu and vice versa for the convenience of the public.

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